Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-05-20
MEXICAN DUDES.
They Are More Objectionable than
Even Their American Brethren.

Even Their American Brethren.
At certain hours of the day and in
certain portions Of the more fashion
ably frequented streets the way is
lined with variety Of sidewalk stat
ues, who. for smartness Of attire and
vapidity of countenance. will compare
not unfavorably with the glorious
American duie. They are known
among the discerning Mexicans who
are masters of the art Of terse and
graphic classification with regard TO
salient points-as tdgartVos. or lizard.
from the tenacity with which they hug
the walls along the narrow sidewalks.
while they ogle the ladies gong to or
from church or the promenades. These
lizards have an unable habit of
making. with the utmost composure.
in a perfectly aud BILE voice. highly
complimentary observations concern
ing such members of the fair sex as
may be fortunate enough to meet with
their critical appreciation "Swee l.
neSs!' What n dear darling"
"liow l love YOU. precious blOnde"
Come here, pretty thing. and kiss
me-" Such are some of the refined
and chvalrc modes of address prac-
tlccd by these young-and not ALWAYS
young-dandes. Also, if they can
muster few words of English, they
are fond of delivering them for the
benefit of women of foreign appear
ance-at severe penalty, as will be
seen. These amenit es are called, in
the expressive language of the country.
throwing flowers. The manikns
really mean no offense by the habit
but rather consider it delicate atten-
ton and a tribute due 10 the presump-
tive charm OF the fair, the custom
being another disagreeable rel sur
yiving from the Objectionable phases of
the Spanish regime. The usage is.
happily, lessening, and no doubt will
soon be obsolete.
1t is curious and characteristic to OBJ
serve how differently the habit is re-
garded by the lad es of different ma
tons. The Spanish women resident in
Mexico complain that the gallantries
are not sufficiently pronounced. and
declare that Mexican men are cold
blooded reptiles. perfect st cks, - il
short. with the very tamest IDEAS as To
making their attentions impress and
acceptable TO ladies; he Mexican wom-
en- endure the impertinences as an
affection. offensive and lowering their
dignity but one which they are impo-
tent to avoid. thanks to the submissive
attitude of fem n nifty in the country.
American women in Mexico often DO
not understand enough Span Sh 10
know the import of these speeches, but
when they do understand il. il goes
hard with the offender He is sure to
receive some token of resentment, IL
only a scow,. Two cases are on record
of rate damscls-one, it goes without
saying, was strong minded Bostonian
lass-who, in the might of their right
eous Indignation at what they deemed
deliberate insult, laid across the faces
of the culprts succession of vigorous
whacks with "A parasol. But perhaps
the most effective eXtnguisher is that
employed by California young lady
She knows Spanish like native, and
when she hears observations from the
dandies directed toward herself she
walks up to the nearest policeman,
points out the delinquent, and says:
1T is against the police regulations to
permit insult to foreigners. You will
have the goodness to take that man in
charge" And she stays near to see
that the gendarme complies. She has
made herself considerable of terror
to the iaJartVoS. and the Mexican
ladies commend her course. realizing
that such treatment goes far to correct
the abuse. Po6res lagartVoS, their
type must be extinct ere many years.
city Of MEXICO Cor. San Francisco
Chronicle.